The organist librarian

Spoke to Ann on Skype. I was up early so posted more South African photos on face book. To Hinsley Room. 9 came for 3rd group meeting on St Paul including Andrew and Hanna. Was asked about Opus Dei! To Grosvenor hotel foyer at Victoria to meet John and Yolande and escort them to Selhurst. Liz cooked a lovely lunch - mint and courgette soup, cauliflower cheese and Lancashire hotpot, autumn fruit pudding. We had a great chat including an interesting discussion about the killing of children by police in Soweto and the relationship with militant Islam. John tagged some reunion photos for me. It was lovely to see them both and they recommended a good place to stay in New York, Leo house and a couple of books to read. They will soon return to Vancouver. Watched Gryff Rhys Jones exploring London and recordings of Vaughan Williams (Symphony No 9 and Serenade to music with the scores) and Sibelius 2 at the proms, also Songs of Praise and Last choir standing.

Soweto contrasts from squatter camp to Holiday Inn and World cup stadium Friday we saw Rob after breakfast and Bruce our mini coach driver arrived to take us on a tour of Soweto. Much had changed since 1970 and we saw no libraries. We walked round a squatter area and visited a home - the family from the Cape. Bought a green stone carving of the eye looking at everything. The tour ended at the Pietersen museum on the site of the Orlando student demonstrations. It was a moving experience and a harrowing one too. Very well done with all sides represented. Bruce returned us in time for lunch. We visited the new college shop and bought a hat and 2 books. We had already met Jean in the school library (my favourite haunt) and I presented the book I had read on the plane "South Africa; how are you?" to the library. She took us to see the museum which is fascinating and we enjoyed a walk from the prep along the Long walk as the sun set. The reunion of 1963/4 was a...